Boro + Love + Township = Princeton

To the Editor:

I would like to publicly thank the Boro and Township members of the Consolidation Commission for their service in studying, once again, whether to combine our two municipalities. Once again, the recommendation is yes, with 4 Boro members and 5 Township members in favor. Amazingly enough, the motives of these duly appointed Commission members are being impugned in public. In addition, as they now take the time to present their findings at numerous neighborhood meetings and focus groups, they are denigrated as "marketers" for wishing to help people understand their thinking. Why would a public study group who has come to a conclusion not wish to explain that conclusion? The l996 commission, of which I was a member, omitted this post-report process in the mistaken belief that the community would read our report from beginning to end and absorb our reasoning. This Commission is doing the right thing and should be applauded. 

I am also puzzled by the arguments against consolidation that hinge on the notion that people in the Boro are, to a person, "different" from Township people in some inexplicable way that creates different priorities. In my 47 years living in both the Boro and the Township, the downtown was the center of my life, and I loved it. Yet fears are being raised that Township residents would run amok over the area and change its enchanting character forever - oh my! high rises! intense development! But: I ask you to look at reality. At the monumental size of the hospital in its final incarnation. At the claustrophobic housing development at the bottom of Palmer Square, which will now be low-ratable rents because the condos aren't selling. Does anyone else miss Toto's, Farr's, Hall's, Urken's, the diner, the bakery, the Prince Theater, the Clothesline, Saks for women, Langrock's, Logan's bookstore, Davidson's, LaVake's, Clayton's, Bellow's, and LaHiere's to name a few of the delightful establishments of my early years here? They created a true "downtown" that provided us with everything we needed for daily life. They're gone. What were the Boro's own priorities iin these past years? 

We are not talking about the Rape of Troy here. This is consolidation: a coming together, a good idea agreed upon by many reasonable people in the Boro and Township. We are separately too small to be two communities, with two administrative buildings, two Public Works departments, two Police Forces, two attorneys, etc. Consolidation will achieve savings and efficiencies and lead to a larger set of resources with which to secure the future vibrancy and charm of the downtown we all care about. 

We can be a BLT:  Boro + Love + Township = Princeton. Or we can just be toast.

Vote Yes! for Consolidation on November 8.

Casey Lambert

115 North Road